L. Jane Press
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L. Jane Press, of Easthampton passed away peacefully on Monday, May 10, 2021, at the Center for Extended Care at Amherst. Born in Northampton on September 29, 1934, she was the daughter of Peter J. O'Kulsky and Helen (Reed)(O'Kulsky) Heon. Jane was a life long resident of Easthampton and graduated from Easthampton High School. She was employed for many years in the Easthampton Public School System as an Administrative Assistant and worked in several schools. Later, she worked in the private sector in Human Resource Management until her retirement in 1997. Throughout her life, Jane volunteered in numerous civic, social and charitable organizations. Among those were the Easthampton Jaycee-ettes, The March of Dimes (serving a president of the state chapter), the Girl Scouts and the Easthampton Junior Miss Program. She found great satisfaction volunteering, especially with the Foster Grandparent Reading and Mentoring Program at Maple Street School. Jane was equally dedicated to raising her daughters, ever present in their lives and welcoming their friends into her home. She was an enthusiastic chaperone for field trips and always attended her children's and grandchildren's games, dance recitals and music programs. Jane was married 46 years to her husband, H. Richard Press, who passed in 2000. She leaves her beloved family, daughters Bonnie M. Press, Nancy Press-Gilbert and her husband David, grandsons Mathew R. and Peter W. Gilbert and his partner Danielle Dennett. She also leaves sisters, Carol and Judith O'Kulsky, as well as many nieces and nephews. Jane was a surrogate mom to many who will mourn her passing, most notably Diane J. Pietraskiewicz and Karen D. Zucco. Funeral services will be private, the O'Brien Funeral Home has been entrusted with Jane's arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the Easthampton Park and Recreation Beautification Fund at One Daley Field Road, Easthampton, MA 01027.